Ceylon alexandrite

High-quality alexandrite has been difficult to find in the Ratnapura district, where mining has taken place for thousands of years.

Production is limited, as many of the mines are becoming depleted.

Locality details

Country

Sri Lanka

Region

Sabaragamuwa

Province

Ratnapura

Locality

Balangoda

Latitude

6.6492

Longitude

80.6722

Altitude

2463

Time zone

UTC+6DT

Locality maps

Map

Satellite

Alexandrite was discovered as rolled pebbles in the gem gravels of Sri Lanka and by the early twentieth century, it was the main source for all three varieties of chrysoberyl: alexandrite, cymophane (cat's eye) and ordinary chrysoberyl. New chrysoberyl occurrence hosted by a pegmatite was discovered in 2004 at Kaltota near Balangoda in South Central Sri Lanka. The Geological Survey and Mines Bureau (GSMB) and the Earth Resources Engineering Department (ERED) made the discovery during a joint study on the proposed National Geo-Park at Balangoda in 2006.